state by state speak you mind about... idaho

[IDemo]

8. I've lived here 40 years

There are good and bad aspects, as I'm sure there are anywhere. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, it's an outstanding place to live. The largest non-profit ski area in the US (and possibly the world) is a half hour drive from downtown Boise. It's possible in the Spring to ski in the morning and play a round of golf in the afternoon. There are world class white water rapids nearby for the more adventurous, with tremendous fishing and hiking for the rest of us. Boise has some of the best mountain biking anywhere literally overlooking the state capitol. The motorcycling is terrific as well.

The potatoes are still big business but high tech has entered the picture as well. The LaserJet printer, Hewlett-Packard's most successful product line, was invented in Boise. Micron, the only remaining American manufacturer of computer memory chips, sits at the other end of town. Both have experienced a good deal of "downsizing" in recent years, but the trend appears to have slowed for now. Alternative energy firms have set up shop in Pocatello, including a wind turbine plant and solar power company.

The politic culture here, as any DU'er is aware, is what puts a black eye on what is otherwise a terrific place to live. We have gone from an era where solid Democrats like Cecil Andrus and Frank Church had the respect of both sides to where virtually all state and national politicians have been replaced by Republicans of the same blueprint as Michelle Bachmann. The record breaking super caucus of 2008 along with the 14,000+ who showed up for Obama's visit gave me an inkling of hope that things might actually be turning around at long last. No chance, it seems.